Cletus Joseph Benjamin

Cletus Benjamin was born in Old Forge, Pennsylvania, to Evan Thomas and Mary (née Corcoran) Benjamin.[1] He attended grade school in Forest City and high school in Scranton.[1] He studied at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Overbrook for two years before entering the Pontifical North American College in Rome.[1] He also studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a doctorate in theology.[2]

Benjamin was ordained to the priesthood by Cardinal Francesco Marchetti Selvaggiani on December 8, 1935.[3] Following his return to Pennsylvania, he served as secretary to Cardinal Dennis Joseph Dougherty from 1938 to 1943.[1] He then served as vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia until 1945, when he became full chancellor.[2] He was named a domestic prelate by Pope Pius XII in 1947, and became pastor of the Church of the Incarnation in Philadelphia in 1954.[2]

On August 17, 1960, Benjamin was appointed auxiliary bishop of Philadelphia and titular bishop of Binda by Pope John XXIII.[3] He received his episcopal consecration on the following December 22 from Archbishop Egidio Vagnozzi, with Bishops Joseph Mark McShea and Joseph Carroll McCormick serving as co-consecrators, at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul.[3]

Less than a year after his elevation to the episcopacy, Benjamin died from a heart attack at the Church of the Incarnation, at age 52.[2]

• Church of the Incarnation website